Darya!! What an incredibly inspiring story...Your strength and perseverance is simply amazing...Thank you for sharing this...My mother was the victim of domestic violence and she did get away but it broke her in some senses and she never fully recovered...You give me hope and bolster my will to keep going no matter what...All the best to you and your family...XOXO
Thank you, Anne! I’m sorry to hear about your mom, but I’m glad she found the strength to break free. It’s very hard to leave abusive relationships or situations once you get caught in them. I developed severe PTSD after that experience, and I still have some of it left in me, even after all these years. I often think that to get complete closure, I need to write a book about it. Probably, I’ll do it someday.
Very powerful reading. I am the son of a woman much like you. Sometimes, I wonder if there is a god. For the past say 12 hours or so, like a faucet being suddenly turned on, I have started thinking about my mother, what she went thru, the hate and cruelty she endured all her life. The way she died at the hands of a doctor with a God complex....words fail me here. Except, your latest post added some context to helping me to understand my mother a little better.
I don't have an inspirational song but I do understand at a primal level some things, and I understand how sick russia is as a people for I was raised in a country that values human decency, and understood that healthy societies need institutions and pathways so that a person's fate is not dependent on the wealth of their family, or their relationship to someone in a position of power. Modestly, I hope, I assert, I am the product of such a country, and I know that on the mean, I am part of a generation, whose grandparents suffered so much, and understood what needed to be done to prevent what my home country went thru from being repeated. I know that many people are confused and have massive angst especially at this current crop of western leaders, but as bad as it is, as much BS we daily read, we are still infinitely not as fucked up as russia. And, like you said, it ain't Putin, it's their culture.
So, we survivors, IMHO do have a responsibility to the future even though today we may not have any influence. My wife is American, and she gets really pissed off with me. Even though she studied law, whenever we talk about hot button issues, my response is generally "yes, but how would you codified that so that justice does not wind up being perceived like it was something akin to a popularity contest". I now live in the US too, and I see it all the time, the proverbial kicking of the can down the road, the effect of PACs on public discourse.
This is my song, when issues compete in the marketplace of ideas how do solutions get codified with the greatest utility to the public welfare.
I am happy for you for your recent victory. I am happy you found somebody like your husband who "gets you". What I suggesting that there is a good chance that the injustice you suffered/suffering will burn brightly within you all the days of your life, and perhaps even in your children. In the west, we try to build upon past lessons. Hate, only takes you so far, and like alcohol, it's not the person drinking from the bottle that does the damage, it is the bottle draining from you that does the damage.
Thanks for sharing. I was amazed at your openness.
Thank you, David! I’m truly sorry that your mother endured so much hardship, cruelty, and injustice in her life. I agree with what you said about a healthy society and that no matter how much greedy and stupid people try to ruin the democracy in the U.S. — it is still a working democracy that differs drastically from countries like Russia.
I know that I will carry my experience for years to come, but it gets easier with time. It just got significantly better after I won the legal battle for my papers. I finally started to feel the ground under my feet. All women from both sides of my family suffered from abuse and it was a never-ending cycle. I feel that I was able to break it, and it heals not only my wounds but also the generational trauma that lives inside me.
You are so inspiring. It’s thanks to people like you that I understand about the situation in Ukraine. Without your unstoppable voice, many more people would forget about Ukraine. Never stop! Your voice is strong and it matters! Congratulations!
Thank you, Marie-Helene! I’m very glad that my words helped you to understand better about Ukraine and the Russian invasion. It means a lot to hear that!
This has me crying. Crying for your pain and also happy crying for you overcoming this abuse. "I learned that even if you are weak now, if you keep fighting, you will gain strength as you go, and you will meet people along the way who will help you win."
I just revisited this post I made from an Air Force base in San Antonio the other day. I had been feeling down about the state of the USA when I posted it. Gave me hope. Love your posts! Enjoy: https://youtube.com/shorts/jTaGxJQ205E?feature=shared 💕🇺🇸💕
Your analogy between the oppression and control that you have (successfully) fought against in your own life, and the oppression and control that Russia has tried to impose on Ukraine, is very poignant. I admire your openness, courage and honesty!
Ah. This explains a lot. I am so glad that you finally got your papers. Of course, I knew the trip to Poland, but hadn't been keeping up with your posts here.
I'm really sorry the last eight years have been so horrible. But you are right. we must keep fighting, every day, in whatever small way we can.
Beautiful story, thank you for sharing! I did not face it as strongly as you did, I think... but it resonates a lot. I emmigrated when I was very young and alsoo faced abuse.. it was difficult to go thought, and my heart is still aching of remembering the horrorrs of maniputaions.. you are strong, we are strong, together we win!!! sending hugs!
I had no idea your immigration story was so hard. I'm so glad you've won now.
Russia was also handed a resounding defeat on the propaganda front with the passage of aid in the House. The Senate is just a formalioat this point. It's given me fresh hope to keep fighting with. Russian propaganda can be beaten if we keep working together.
First of all I'm very sorry you experienced such terrible abuse when you came to the US. It must have taken courage and strength to free yourself from that horrifying situation. I'm glad you met a good man and have a better life now.
I wanted to ask. What was the event where Russians said Ukrainians and Russians are one people? I know they say that all the time, but what specific event are you referring to in the post?
Darya!! What an incredibly inspiring story...Your strength and perseverance is simply amazing...Thank you for sharing this...My mother was the victim of domestic violence and she did get away but it broke her in some senses and she never fully recovered...You give me hope and bolster my will to keep going no matter what...All the best to you and your family...XOXO
Thank you, Anne! I’m sorry to hear about your mom, but I’m glad she found the strength to break free. It’s very hard to leave abusive relationships or situations once you get caught in them. I developed severe PTSD after that experience, and I still have some of it left in me, even after all these years. I often think that to get complete closure, I need to write a book about it. Probably, I’ll do it someday.
Very powerful reading. I am the son of a woman much like you. Sometimes, I wonder if there is a god. For the past say 12 hours or so, like a faucet being suddenly turned on, I have started thinking about my mother, what she went thru, the hate and cruelty she endured all her life. The way she died at the hands of a doctor with a God complex....words fail me here. Except, your latest post added some context to helping me to understand my mother a little better.
I don't have an inspirational song but I do understand at a primal level some things, and I understand how sick russia is as a people for I was raised in a country that values human decency, and understood that healthy societies need institutions and pathways so that a person's fate is not dependent on the wealth of their family, or their relationship to someone in a position of power. Modestly, I hope, I assert, I am the product of such a country, and I know that on the mean, I am part of a generation, whose grandparents suffered so much, and understood what needed to be done to prevent what my home country went thru from being repeated. I know that many people are confused and have massive angst especially at this current crop of western leaders, but as bad as it is, as much BS we daily read, we are still infinitely not as fucked up as russia. And, like you said, it ain't Putin, it's their culture.
So, we survivors, IMHO do have a responsibility to the future even though today we may not have any influence. My wife is American, and she gets really pissed off with me. Even though she studied law, whenever we talk about hot button issues, my response is generally "yes, but how would you codified that so that justice does not wind up being perceived like it was something akin to a popularity contest". I now live in the US too, and I see it all the time, the proverbial kicking of the can down the road, the effect of PACs on public discourse.
This is my song, when issues compete in the marketplace of ideas how do solutions get codified with the greatest utility to the public welfare.
I am happy for you for your recent victory. I am happy you found somebody like your husband who "gets you". What I suggesting that there is a good chance that the injustice you suffered/suffering will burn brightly within you all the days of your life, and perhaps even in your children. In the west, we try to build upon past lessons. Hate, only takes you so far, and like alcohol, it's not the person drinking from the bottle that does the damage, it is the bottle draining from you that does the damage.
Thanks for sharing. I was amazed at your openness.
D
Thank you, David! I’m truly sorry that your mother endured so much hardship, cruelty, and injustice in her life. I agree with what you said about a healthy society and that no matter how much greedy and stupid people try to ruin the democracy in the U.S. — it is still a working democracy that differs drastically from countries like Russia.
I know that I will carry my experience for years to come, but it gets easier with time. It just got significantly better after I won the legal battle for my papers. I finally started to feel the ground under my feet. All women from both sides of my family suffered from abuse and it was a never-ending cycle. I feel that I was able to break it, and it heals not only my wounds but also the generational trauma that lives inside me.
Thanks.
You are so inspiring. It’s thanks to people like you that I understand about the situation in Ukraine. Without your unstoppable voice, many more people would forget about Ukraine. Never stop! Your voice is strong and it matters! Congratulations!
Thank you, Marie-Helene! I’m very glad that my words helped you to understand better about Ukraine and the Russian invasion. It means a lot to hear that!
Thank you Darya! Congratulations! Your victory is one to give other Hope!
Thank you, Matthew!
This has me crying. Crying for your pain and also happy crying for you overcoming this abuse. "I learned that even if you are weak now, if you keep fighting, you will gain strength as you go, and you will meet people along the way who will help you win."
Thank you, Sonia! 🫂
Yes, like Sonia says.
Thank you, Rob!
This is an impressive story. I'm really glad fighting so hard paid off for you.
Thank you, Anna! I’m very glad, too.
I just revisited this post I made from an Air Force base in San Antonio the other day. I had been feeling down about the state of the USA when I posted it. Gave me hope. Love your posts! Enjoy: https://youtube.com/shorts/jTaGxJQ205E?feature=shared 💕🇺🇸💕
Thank you for sharing and for your support!
Hi Darya,
Your analogy between the oppression and control that you have (successfully) fought against in your own life, and the oppression and control that Russia has tried to impose on Ukraine, is very poignant. I admire your openness, courage and honesty!
Thank you, Peter!
Ah. This explains a lot. I am so glad that you finally got your papers. Of course, I knew the trip to Poland, but hadn't been keeping up with your posts here.
I'm really sorry the last eight years have been so horrible. But you are right. we must keep fighting, every day, in whatever small way we can.
❤️🫂
Beautiful story, thank you for sharing! I did not face it as strongly as you did, I think... but it resonates a lot. I emmigrated when I was very young and alsoo faced abuse.. it was difficult to go thought, and my heart is still aching of remembering the horrorrs of maniputaions.. you are strong, we are strong, together we win!!! sending hugs!
Thank you for sharing and for your support, Daryna! Together we will win ❤️🫂
I had no idea your immigration story was so hard. I'm so glad you've won now.
Russia was also handed a resounding defeat on the propaganda front with the passage of aid in the House. The Senate is just a formalioat this point. It's given me fresh hope to keep fighting with. Russian propaganda can be beaten if we keep working together.
Thank you, Rachel! I'm so glad, too. The passing of the aid lifted my spirits as well.
Inspiring post! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Mark!
First of all I'm very sorry you experienced such terrible abuse when you came to the US. It must have taken courage and strength to free yourself from that horrifying situation. I'm glad you met a good man and have a better life now.
I wanted to ask. What was the event where Russians said Ukrainians and Russians are one people? I know they say that all the time, but what specific event are you referring to in the post?
Thank you, Michael!
Russians indeed talk like this all the time. In this essay, I was referring to a recent Time article with Navalnaya’s interview.